Principles & Elements of Design

John Jay High School

What exactly does "Principles and Elements of Design" mean? Design is accomplished by the use of certain elements, which comprise the materials with which a designer or an artist works. These elements are combined according to certain principles. Together the elements and principles form an aesthetic framework that is essential to any design, to any work of art, be it visual, literary, or musical.

Principles & Elements of Design

ColorTextureShapeLineSpaceValueForm/Mass

Elements of Design

Color The colors we see are

light waves absorbed or reflected by everything around us.

Artists use color in many different ways.

Texture

Texture is the way something feels.

Feel - Tactile Looks - Visual Sounds - Audible Artists create the

illusion of texture in their artwork.

Shape Shape is something

distinguished from it’s surroundings by it’s outline.

When lines meet, shapes are formed.

Shapes are geometric or irregular.

Line

Lines are everywhere.

Line refers to a continuous mark made on some surface by a moving point.

It may be 2-D like pencil on paper, or

3-D like wire.

Space

Space is the distance, or area between, around, above, or within things, as positive & negative space.

Value

Value is the lightness or darkness of a color.

You can get different values of a color by mixing it’s shades and tints.

Form/Mass

Forms are three-dimensional. They have height, width, and depth.

Principles of Design

Balance Symmetrical Asymmetrical Radial

Contrast Unity Emphasis Pattern Rhythm

Balance

Balance of shape and mass is traditionally divided into three categories; Symmetrical (Formal), Asymmetrical (Informal) and Radial.

Symmetrical Balance (Formal)

Symmetrical balance (formal) means that elements on each side of an imaginary line on an object are relatively the same.

Asymmetrical Balance (Informal)

Asymmetrical balance (informal) means that elements on each side of an imaginary line may be different, yet serve to create a stable composition.

Radial Balance

Radial balance means lines or shapes grow from a center point.

To radiate from a central point.

Contrast

Contrast creates bold excitement and interest in artwork.

Two things that are different have a lot of value shift.

The colors black and white have the greatest value shift.

Unity

Unity is the feeling that everything in the artifact, such as art, music or product, work together well.

Emphasis

Artists use emphasis to make certain parts of their artwork stand out and grab your attention.

The center of interest or focal point is the place of the artist/participants emotional focus.

Pattern

Pattern is created by repeating a line, shape, or color over and over again.

Rhythm

Rhythm makes you think of the rhythms you hear in music or dance.

People create visual rhythm by the use of repetition of principles & elements.

Bevlin, Majorie Elliott. Design Through Discovery. 4th Edition. New York: CBS College Publishing, 1984.

http://www.sanford-artedventures.com

Nelson, George. Problems of Design. New York: Whitney Publications, Inc., 1965.

References

Which Principles & Elements are utilized?

Which Principles & Elements are utilized?

Which Principles & Elements are utilized?

Which Principles & Elements are utilized?

Which Principles & Elements are utilized?